𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 | Aemond Targaryen

25

[ WARNING: Death of a character, slight gore and blood ]

The battle of Rook's Rest has begun as Meleys had already burned half of Cole's men and had harmed Sunfyre. Vhagar slowly stood up and took off in the sky. The people stood stunned over the casted shadow from their right, only for their heads to snap to their left and being met with a loud roar of the Bronze Fury.

Aelora entered the battle ground and sighted Meleys in the sky. Rhaenys motioned underneath them as the princess understood. She held onto her reins tightly and Vermithor charged to the ground.

"Dracarys!" The word rolled off her tongue and the dragon obeyed, burning the men underneath him. Their screams of pain and death heard throughout the sky.

Vhagar made his way to the two dragons; Meleys and Sunfyre, still clawing against each other. Aegon thanked the gods, happiness shown in his smile. It did not last long, however. "Dracarys." Aemond commanded and Vhagar slowly opened her jaws, revealing colours of orange and red hue. Aegon face fell and he brought his arm to his face, trying to protect himself as the fire hit down him and his dragon.

Aemond then sighted the bronzed dragon and its rider, "No,no,no!" He groaned out. This wasn't supposed to happen, he was to harm Meleys and fly away. Without Sunfyre and Aegon, let alone Vermithor and Aelora.

Vermithor growled loudly, motioning his head to the she-dragon as she roared back. Aelora's eyes widen at the sight. "Aemond," She whispered. Her breath hitched as she noticed Vhagar going towards Meleys and Aemond's struggle to control her. God's knew what she would do without control, and it was happening right now. Rhaenys flew closely to Aelora, calling her name.

"Aegon and his dragon have fallen in the woods, go! End this conflict."

"But—" Her glance switched to Vhagar and back to Rhaenys. "Do not fright, sweet girl. I will be alright. Now, go!" Aelora took a deep breath and turned Vermithor the other way.

"Whose dragon is that?" Gwayne questioned Cole. "Vermithor—Aelora Targaryen's." He spoke, still in shock as his eyes travelled to where Vermithor was head to. Cole held onto his reins and rushed towards the woods.

Meleys and Vhagar began to battle, the Red Queen scratching the green she-dragon's chest with her claws as the Queen of all Dragons let out her fiery breath in defence. The two danced in the sky and Vhagar struck the ground, stomping onto men as she regained her position.

Aelora turned her head and saw the whole things happen, praying to the gods Aemond was alright and that Rhaenys will flee. She needs to flee. Vermithor landed meters away from Sunfyre and Aegon. Aelora ran towards the smoke that came out of them, impact of Vhagar's fire. Why has Aemond burned his brother more than Rhaenys?

Sunfyre let out few of tired screeches of pain to which Aelora could break at. She ran to the other side and to his head. The golden dragon struggled, but did his best to turn his snout to her. "Lykiri, Sunfyre. Ao jāhor sagon sȳz. Shhh,"
[Be calm, Sunfyre. You will be fine. Shhh,]

She placed her palm on his snout which was covered in blood and dirt. Sunfyre closed his eyes in comfort and relaxed under her touch as he kept his wing protected over half burned Aegon. She stepped over to Aegon and crouched down beside him, placing her two fingers on his neck—letting out an annoyed exhale after feeling a pulse. Weak, but still a pulse.

"He—" A loud explosion interrupted her as she snapped her head towards it. She sighted smoke in the sky and her eyes widen at the scene. Aelora jumped over Aegon and Sunfyre's wing towards Vermithor. The two quickly got into the clouds as she sighted Vhagar flying above the explosion, seeing Meleys nor Rhaenys nowhere in sight.

The Bronzed Queen felt the world stop as realisation hit her. Rhaenys never had any intention to flee, she sacrificed herself in the battle for Rook's Rest. She lost and died, with the Red Queen as they met their doom together. Aelora shifted in her saddle and leaned forward, holding onto her saddle tightly than ever before knowing it will leave red marks on her palms. She released a loud cry of battle, followed by Vermithor's loud roar and Cannibal circling around the castle of Dragonstone with a loud pained screech. Vhagar and Aemond were nowhere in sight as he stood up from Aegon in the woods upon hearing the loud painful growl. He lost control over the she-dragon as she took down Meleys and her rider with an expression of guilt overwhelming him.

The Green's men watched as the dragon landed on the field, a loud threatening roar being released towards them as Aelora ran to Meleys' burned body. The men all backed away at the sight of the Bronze Fury behind the princess. She jumped over the red burned tail and felt her breath stop at the sight of Rhaenys curled up burned body. Aelora stepped over to her, her face almost unrecognisable and her armour melted on top of her. Her palms informed into tight fists as she glanced away—shutting her eyes in the process, not letting any tears to escape. This was the way of war. One loses, while the other wins.

Aemond twisted the dagger in his hand of his late father, King Viserys. The dagger that is now in Aegon's belongings. The prince upon hearing the cry of Aelora, he wanted to stab himself and all will be solved. He didn't need to choose between his love and his family. He had enough of choosing, and so did Aelora.

Criston Cole recovered from his fall and slowly lifted his head up, noticing no dragons nor their riders in sight except for the departed Red Queen and Queen Who Never Was. He regained his strength and stood on his feet, touching another of his men armour only for it to fall down being protecting nothing but ashes and bones. Cole's gaze fell upon the burned ground and multiple bodies. Making his way past them, he made his way towards the woods.

Aemond sheathed out his sword, ready to take Aegon's head and take back Aelora's throne. He furiously stepped towards them, lifting his arm in the sky—

"Aemond!"

Sunfyre weakly grumbles at the sudden yell and Aemond turns his head to the voice that called him. His eye met Criston Cole's dirty and bloodied figure as he stepped forward. The one-eyed sheathed his blade and crouched down, picking back the dagger he thrown in front of his feet. "Where's His Grace?" Cole questioned, following the tip of the dagger's blade. He finally sighted Aegon's half burned body and he let his helmet and himself fall.

Aemond let out a quiet hum and stood back up, leaving Criston alone as he watched the smoke dispersing from the gold coloured dragon and his rider.